Formula 1’s newest champion is choosing tradition and superstition over the sport’s most famous number. He is turning down the No. 1 out of respect for a racing legend and a healthy dose of superstition.
Kimi Antonelli confirmed he will keep racing with the number 12, the number he chose to honor Ayrton Senna, instead of switching to the No. 1 that champions are allowed to use. He became the sport’s youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Why is Kimi Antonelli keeping number 12?
Antonelli said the number is very special to him and helps him keep his feet on the ground and stay humble. Keeping it, he said, lets him start fresh and keep improving. He made the announcement after celebrating his championship.
He also admitted to being superstitious. The No. 1 never brought him luck in his junior racing career, he said, and things went badly every time he used it. That history, he joked, gave him another reason to stick with 12.
In Formula 1, drivers choose a permanent number for their careers but may switch to No. 1 while defending a title. The rule has been in place since 2014.
Why does Antonelli honor Ayrton Senna?
Ayrton Senna raced with the number 12 at Lotus from 1985 to 1987 and during his dominant 1988 season with McLaren, when he won the first of his three world titles. His McLaren team won all but one race that year, making it one of the most dominant seasons ever.
As a child, Antonelli asked his father to bring him tapes of old Formula 1 races so he could study the sport. He became fascinated with Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian legend who died in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna is widely considered one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
Before the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Antonelli visited Ayrton Senna’s gravesite in Brazil.
What is planned for Brazil?
Antonelli said he will wear a special helmet honoring Ayrton Senna at the upcoming race in Brazil.
This year marks 35 years since Senna won his home race in 1991 while stuck in sixth gear, one of the most famous drives in the sport’s history. Antonelli called the design one of the best helmets he has made. Senna’s emotional victory in 1991 came after years of heartbreak at his home race.
He said the support from Brazilian fans has been incredible, both this season and last. Brazilian fans have embraced him partly because of his devotion to their hero.
Who else has skipped the No. 1?
Champions are not required to use the number, and few have under the current system. Sebastian Vettel used it in 2014, Max Verstappen ran it from 2022 through 2025 and Lando Norris used it this season.
Lewis Hamilton kept his number 44 throughout his title defenses, while Nico Rosberg retired right after winning the 2016 championship. Hamilton won six titles with Mercedes but never raced with No. 1.
What does Antonelli’s title mean for the sport?
Antonelli, who is 20 and drives for Mercedes, clinched the title in Mexico City even as Verstappen won the race. He built a commanding lead in the standings with wins this season, including the U.S. Grand Prix. He broke Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest champion.
His choice reflects the personal meaning many drivers attach to their numbers. For Antonelli, the link to Ayrton Senna is part of his identity.
Fans will see that tribute on full display in Brazil, where Ayrton Senna remains a national hero. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is next on the calendar.
